Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams insists his team won’t trade him, but one notable NFL insider begs to differ. A longtime Packer, Adams first joined the Raiders in a blockbuster move during the 2022 offseason. Fresh off a playoff appearance, Adams was supposed to be the missing piece for Derek Carr and first-year head coach Josh McDaniels. Instead, the team crashed and burned and is now embracing a rebuild under the quarterback duo of Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, along with head coach Antonio Pierce.
With this in mind, the Raiders should try to get younger, which could mean dealing the six-time Pro Bowler as he enters his age-32 season. According to Boomer Esiason, the Raiders could agree to trade Davante Adams to the New York Jets over the next two months. New York is easily the most likely landing spot, as the move will reunite Adams with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but they won’t be the only team looking to secure his services.
Big contracts are never easy to move, as Davante’s dead cap would be $23.55M that the Raiders have to eat in if they trade him (they can defer $15M of it to 2025) but they have $31M+ in cap space now and would clear his $44M from the 2025 cap, so there’s no financial limitations… https://t.co/4qWRkB6mW0
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) July 15, 2024
Panthers, Saints Could Be Dark Horse Trade Destinations For Davante Adams
On paper, the Carolina Panthers did a good job of improving their wide receiver room. Adam Thielen is returning for another season, Diontae Johnson provides a steady veteran presence, and first-round pick Xavier Legette has a massive ceiling. If Legette hits the ground running, Carolina won’t need to trade for Davante Adams. However, that’s a huge ‘if.’
Xavier Legette broke out in a big way last year, recording 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns during his age-22 season. He had a remarkable year, but it’s worth noting that he failed to eclipse 200 receiving yards in any of his four previous collegiate campaigns. The Panthers need Bryce Young to work out, so if Legette can’t immediately adjust to NFL life, they could trade for Davante Adams.
This team needs three reliable receivers, as Terrace Marshall is a complete bust and Jonathan Mingo had a worrisome rookie season. Young never had a chance to succeed as a rookie, but if he can’t figure it out with Adams, Johnson, and Thielen, then Carolina must find somebody better for the 2025 season.
A Different Quarterback Reunion
Davante Adams wants to reunite with Aaron Rodgers, but a different trade could send him to old friend Derek Carr. New Orleans doesn’t have the best roster in the league by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s clear that the Saints believe they can win it all. After mortgaging the future once again, Dennis Allen must guide this team to the postseason if he wants to keep his job.
The Saints have one of the worst offensive lines in the league with a lackluster guard duo and major questions at offensive tackle. Rather than hoping four separate offensive linemen play to their ceiling, New Orleans could trade for Davante Adams. Adams excels at getting open right off the line, so pass rushers won’t have time to take Carr down if Adams keeps getting open. Combining him with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed could be enough for New Orleans to clinch a weak NFC South.
Main Photo: Hali Tauxe – USA Today Sports
